Toilet base

ABSTRACT

A TOILET FEATURING A UNIQUELY CHAMBERED BASE ENABLING A MOST COMPACT TOILET INSTALLATION, THE BASE BEING SO FORMED TO PER SE SERVE AS A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE MEDIUM FOR DIRECTING WATER TO FOLLOW TO AND FROM A TOILET BOWL IN A MANNER TO PROVIDE FOR AN EFFICIENT DISINTEGRATION AND DISCHARGE OF CONTAINED WASTE. THE BASE CONSTRUCTION IS SUCH   THAT FLOW THERETHROUGH WILL NOT ONLY BE FORCEFUL BUT SMOOTH AND RELATIVELY QUIET.

Sept. 20, 1971 L. E. RUSSELL TOILET BASE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 2, 1968 INVENTOR LINUS E. RUSSELL A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,605,130 TOILET BASE Linus E. Russell, Springfield, Ohio, assignor to Peters and Russell, Incorporated, Springfield, Ohio Filed Aug. 2, 1968, Ser. No. 749,882 Int. Cl. E03d /01 US. Cl. 4--90 24 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A toilet featuring a uniquely chambered base enabling a most compact toilet installation, the base being so formed to per se serve as a highly effective medium for directing water to flow to and from a toilet bowl in a manner to provide for an efficient disintegration and discharge of contained waste. The base construction is such that flow therethrough will not only be forceful but smooth and relatively quiet.

This invention relates to improvements in toilets and, more particularly, to a unique base for a toilet bowl affording a most compact toilet installation. It is best illustrated by application thereof for use as a marine toilet and will be so described. However, as will be obvious, its application is not so limited and such is not intended.

Marine toilets of heretofore conventional design have presented many problems in application and use. Space is at a premium on almost any boat, a fact the prior art toilet installations have failed to fully recognize. A toilet bowl as conventionally mounted and the plumbing therefore as conventionally provided have occupied that much space that where sanitary facilities are placed in an adequate toilet chamber, too much space is taken from that required for other purposes. If such facilities are provided in a properly allocated portion of the available space, it has been found the conventional installation is so arranged as to be awkward to use and to operate.

The present invention is directed not only to overcome these problems but to achieve a most efficient and sanitary waste disposal system in marine and other applications of like character presenting like problems.

In a preferred embodiment here illustrated the apparatus of the present invention features a toilet bowl open to its bottom, which opening is sealed by a uniquely chambered base mounting a removable receptacle which forms the bottom of the bowl. The base is characterized by a most simple and generally integral form providing baffled independent and mutual flow paths for water per se or containing chemicals to be pumped therethrough in a smooth and relatively quiet fashion and forcefully dis charged to said receptacle for waste disintegrating and discharge purposes. The base further provides that powered pumping means mount thereto in an exceedingly simple and efficient manner to produce thereby a most compact installation.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved toilet installation for marine or like use which is economical to fabricate, more efiicient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety of applications and unlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide an eX- ceedingly compact toilet unit for use Where space is at premium and in absence of a conventional water supply system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a uniquely constructed toilet base.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a toilet installation for marine and like use which occupies a minimal amount of space and is simple and easy to use and operate.

3,605,130 Patented Sept. 20, 1971 ice Another object of the invention is to provide a toilet base affording chambered flow paths for directing a quiet and forceful flow of water to a superposed bowl for disintegrating and sanitary discharge of the contained waste.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toilet installation possessing the advantageous elements and structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and means and mode of operation such as herein described.

With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the Only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspecttive view of a preferred form of toilet base as contemplated by the present invention, illustrating therewith related pumping unit;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional View of a toilet installation utilizing the base of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 33 Of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 are fragmentary plan views of the removable waste receptacle portion of the base of FIG. 1, illustrating in generally schematic fashion the introduction thereto of waste disintegrating and discharge jets f fluid.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

The drawings reveal a toilet base including a generally rectangular shell 10 providing a segmented cavity open to its bottom. This shell cavity is defined by a top wall 11, side walls 12 and 13 and front and rear walls 14 and 15. The shell cavity is first divided into two equal segments by having a central partition 16 formed integral therewith, connected coextensively with and perpendicular to the top wall 11, front wall 14 and rear wall 15. Each of these cavity segments so defined is peripherally rimmed at the bottom by an inset shoulder 17.

The cavity portions defined thereby are themselves each divided into two equal segments by a central partition 18 the lower edge of which lies in a plane common to that of the shoulder 17. Positioned as described the partitions 16 and 18 form four chambers 19, 20, 21 and 22 which are generally equal in cross-section.

Each of the chambers 19 through 22 inclusive are transversely bridged by a solid wall segment 23 in adjacent but spaced parallel relation to the rear wall 15 of the shell 10. The wall segments 23 are formed integral with the top wall 11 and extend downwardly therefrom to have their lowermost edges in a line spaced upwardly from the lowermost edges of partitions 16 and 18. There is thus defined immediately adjacent the rear wall 15, in each of the aforementioned chambers 19 through 22 and extending the chamber width, a rectangular, vertically oriented pocket A the opening to which is elevated from the shoulder 17. In each case a relatively larger pocket is thus defined to the opposite side of the wall segment 23, which larger pocket contains rectangularly intersected wall segments 24 and 25. In each instance the latter form four smaller pockets, the two adjacent each wall segment 23 having a square con-figuration in a horizontal sense and the two remote therefrom being rectangular and elongated in a fore and aft sense. The Wall segments 24 and 25 are also formed integral with the shell 10 and extend downwardly from the top wall 11, but to a lesser depth than the wall segment 23.

Particular note should be taken of the fact that there is defined in the chamber immediately of the side of the transversely disposed wall segment 24 most adjacent the front wall 14 and between the partition 18 and the fore and aft wall segment 25 therein a vertical passage 26. A similar passage 27 is defined in the chamber 21 immediately adjacent the front wall 14 and between partition 16 and the fore and aft wall segment 25.

Formed in the outer wall surface at the rear wall 15 of shell 10 is a horizontally oriented elongated groove 28. The groove 28 terminates at one end in an aperture 29 which opens to the pocket A of chamber 19 to the one end of shell 10. The other end of groove 28 terminates in an aperture 30 which opens to the pocket A of chamber 22. As illustrated, the lower portion of the outer wall surface to the rear of the shell is uniformly recessed to accommodate the application thereto of a plate .31. When applied, the outer surface of the plate 3 1 lies flush with the upper portion of the outer surface of the rear wall 15.

Formed in the upper portion of the outer surface of rear wall 15 are four generally cylindrical recesses 32 the base portion 33 of each of which has a generally spherical contour and a central aperture 34. In each instance the aperture 34 opens to a different one of the pockets A. As thus provided, each recess 32 communicates with an immediately adjacent but different chamber A in the shell 10 for purposes and function which shall be further described.

Each rimming shoulder 17 seats a rectangular bottom closure plate 35 which is also seated to the lower edge of the bridging partition 18. Suitable gaskets 35' are interposed to provide a seal between the plate 35 and the shoulder 17 and partition 18.

The base of the shell 10 is distinguished by an external flange 36 and its front wall 14' is formed to bulge outwardly at its center to produce in projected relation thereto the form of a vertical segment of a cylinder which is identified by the numeral 37. Projected vertically from the top wall 11 is an annular wall segment 38, a portion of which is coextensive with and rims the outer arcuate peripheral edge of the cylindrical segment 37. A notch 39 is formed inwardly of the upper edge of the wall segment 38, substantially its depth and to the side thereof generally the opposite that including the outermost central point of the projected wall segment 37.

It should be here noted that the plate 31 has a single functional aperture 40 providing an inlet to the center of v the groove 28. A block-like element 41 is fixed to overly the outermost face of the plate 31 and the co-planar surface portion of the rear wall 15. The block 41 includes an aperture 41 which aligns with the aperture 40 in the plate 31.

Two side "by side elliptical recesses designated respectively 42 and 43 are formed in the outermost face of the block 41. The major axis of each recess, as seen in FIG. 1, has a horizontal orientation and its peripheral wall rims an area encompassing the major portion of a pair of underlying recesses 32 in the rear wall 15. It will be seen from FIG. 3 of the drawings that when viewing the shell 10 from the rear the recess 42 is to the left and to the rear of the chambers 19 and 20. Accordingly, the recess 43 positions to the right and is directly to the rear of the chambers 21 and 22 of the shell 10. The depth of each recess 42 and 43 is greater than half the thickness of the block 41. This leaves a wall portion of lesser depth at the base of each recess which in the example illustrated is formed with two side by side, laterally but closely spaced apertures 44 and 45 each of which opens to a respectively different one of the underlying recesses 32. At the inner face of the block 41 there are four side by side equidistantly spaced recesses of dome contour rimmed at such inner face by a shoulder 46 formed by a slight 4 counterbore. These last recesses are so formed and positioned to be larger than the apertures 44 and 45 to which they respectively open, offset to one side.

superposed coextensively with the outer face of block 41 is a resilient diaphragm 47 fixed thereto by an overlying plate 48 having elliptical apertures 49 coinciding in position with the recesses 42 and 43 in the underlying block 41 and spaced therefrom by elliptical segments of the diaphragm 47. In the process these elliptical segments of the diaphragm 47 extend over and seal the recesses 42 and 43. The plate 48 has a further aperture 50 which aligns with the apertures 41 and 40. In the conventional use of the described apparatus the aperture 50 will receive an adapter for connection thereto of a hose or like conduit the opposite end of which will lead to the available body of water about the boat in which the toilet has been installed.

The plate 48 includes at its upper edge a right angled outwardly projected shelf portion 51. The latter mounts two motors in side by side relation and has apertures accommodating the projection therethrough of their drive shafts 54. The latter each have at the lower extremity a horizontally oriented eccentrically positioned cam 55. Fixed centrally of each elliptical portion of the diaphragm 47 which bridges a recess 42 or 43 is the elliptical base 56 of a reciprocating rod 57 the outer projected end of which mounts a bearing loop 58. Each loop 58 bearingly accommodates one of the cams 55. Of course, the rods 57 project centrally through the apertures 49 of the plate 48.

It will be seen that on energizing of either of the motors 53 the rotation of the drive shaft 54 will produce an eccentric reciprocation of the related rod 57 to rock the related elliptical segment of the diaphragm about its minor axis, as will be further described.

The annular wall segment 38 which projects vertically of the shell 10 removably nests a disc shaped block 59. The upper surface of the block 59 has a central cavity 60 which converges downwardly to assume the shape of a truncated cone. At its undersurface which seats to the top of the shell 10, the block 59 has formed therein an arcuate groove 61 of uniform radius which positions over and communicates at one end with the top end of passage 27 opening from the top of the shell 10. Circularly spaced beyond the opposite end of the groove 61 is a cylindrical recess 62.

Formed in the side of the wall defining the cavity 60 in the upper surface of the block 59 to intersect the cylindrical recess 62 and to have its opposite end open to the cavity in a sense generally tangential to a portion of its inner wall surface, is a small bore passage 63. The cavity wall is formed with a further passage 64 an intermediate portion of which intersects the discharge end of the passage 63. One end of the passage 64 communicates with the end of the groove 61 most remote from the passage 27 by means of a small bore passage 65. The other end of passage 64 is so positioned to open for discharge through the notch 39 in the wall segment 3-8. A side portion of the passage 64 which is immediately opposite the discharge end of the passage 63 intersects the cavity 60 and is open thereto. This enables a free and unobstructed discharge from the passage 63 to the cavity 60 and facilitates also a withdrawal of the cavity contents in a manner to be further described. In use an adapter (not shown) will be applied in the discharge end of pasage 64, within the notch 39. This adapter will connect to a conduit leading to the body of water in which the boat containing the toilet lies.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, four radially oriented T-slots 66 are formed in the upper surface of the block 59 to open from its outer peripheral edge at intervals spaced apart. As shown, each of these slots 66 accommodate the slip fit therein of the head portion of a bolt 67 the threaded body portion of which projects vertically from the block 59. So positioned and restrained against axial movement, the four bolts 67 pass through aligned apertures in an overlying annular plate element 68 which is co-extensive with the outer surface portion of the block 59 and includes at its inner periphery an inwardly projected lip 69. The latter overlies the outer peripheral portion of the cavity 60 and through the medium of a conical formation inclines thereto to serve as a splash lip. The annular portion of the element 68 abutting the block 59 has superposed thereon a gasket 7 which co-extensively seats the external flange 71 at the bottom of a toilet bowl or hopper 72. In the example illustrated the toilet bowl 72 has the shape of a downwardly convergent truncated conical shell, the opening from its bottom being defined by a cylindrical tube segment 73 terminating in the flange 71. As will be noted, the upper rim of the bowl is flanged also.

In FIG. 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the bowl per se will substantially overlie the motors 53, positioned in close proximity thereto. By this construction the entire assembly is made to be most compact. Further, the relationship of the parts is such to produce a minimal space requirement, not much greater then that required for the bowl per se.

In the toilet system above described the motors 53 are incorporated in conventional circuitry to operate in a timed direct sequence. Since such a circuit is well within the capabilities of a mechanic versed in the art, it is neither described nor detailed. Sutfice it to say that an appropriate electrical system is provided whereby upon pressing a control button or switch a circuit will be closed to first energize the one motor 53 which is functionally related to chambers 19 and 20 of the shell 10. After a set interval, this motor will automatically de-energize and the other motor 53 will be automatically energized to function in reference to chambers 21 and 22.

More specifically, when waste has been introduced in the bowl 72, the form of the latter insures its deposit in cavity 60* of the block 59. One then need only push the above referred to button (not shown) to start the waste disposal system. As mentioned, this will first cause the energizing of the motor 53 related to the chambers 19 and 20. As this motor is energized, its drive shaft 54 induces the connected eccentric 55 to eccentrically reciprocate the related rod 57. It is here noted the base of rod 57 is of smaller dimension than the connected elliptical portion of the rubber diaphragm 47 which bridges the recess 42. Thus, viewing the assembly from the rear, this resultingly produces an eccentric rock of the connected elliptical diaphragm portion about its minor axis.

In sequence, as the left portion of the base 56 of rod 57 is rocked outwardly, this produces a suction effect reflected through aperture 44, underlying recess 32, communicating pocket A and the space thereunder, and aperture 29 to groove 28. This results in an insuction of water from the surrounding body by way of the suitable conduit and adapter previously described, the water being drawn inwardly through the aligned apertures 50, 41' and 40 to the groove 28. From here the water is pulled into the area of the pocket A in the chamber 19*. In the process water surges forwardly in chamber 19, underneath the wall segment 23, moving upwardly of its forwardmost side to be there damped by impact on the wall segments 24 and 25. The latter serve as baffles which cushion and smooth the inflow. This last enables a faster and more positive insuction of water which eventually flows upwardly of the pocket A, under the influence of the applied suction. From pocket A water moves inwardly of the communicating recess 32 and passes through the communicating aperture 44 to the pumping chamber defined by the recess 42. The smoothness of the flow into the recess 42 is enabled by the formed contours of the structure which defines the course of its movement to the recess. Of course, this whole cycle of insuction occurs in a fraction of a second.

As the eccentric rocking reciprocation of the diaphragm continues, the base portion of rod 57 to the extreme left of the recess 42 will move inwardly and slightly to the right and its opposite extremity moves outwardly from aperture 45 and slightly to the left. As the left portion moves inwardly to aperture 44, it therefore pressures the inflow laterally in a shearing fashion, to produce a layered displacement of the water over to the area of aperture 45. As the right hand portion of the base rocks inwardly it pressures the diaphragm to force water thereunder through the discharge aperture 45. The water is thus pressured through the aperture 45 and the underlying recess 32 to the pocket A of the chamber 20. From here the water is forced downwardly in a pressured flow to pass below wall segment 23 and into the space at the bottom of the chamber 20 and to the space underlying the wall segments 24 and 25 therein. The latter damp and cushion the water in its surging flow. As the pressure influence on the water continues, there follows a smooth but pressured movement thereof upwardly of the passage 26 into and through the cylindrical recess 62 in the disc 59. The water then moves to and through the small bore passage 63 to exit therefrom in a jet form, discharging across the passage 64 and tangentially of a portion of the inner wall of the cavity 60. The jet impacts on the cavity wall and is induced thereby to circle therein and create a rising whirlpool. In the process, the waste in the cavity 60 is lifted, tossed and throughly disintegrated by the action of the whirlpool. The waste is caused thereby to assume an essentially fluid form.

It is here noted that the lip 69 functions to prevent a splashing effect, though the whirlpool, will rise, in part, l:;bove the lip to scour the lower portions of the toilet owl.

The first motor 23 is kept energized for a set period within which the noted disintegrating and fluidizing action is achieved, whereupon it is automatically de-energized.

The electric circuitry will provide that the second motor is automatically energized at this point to produce an eccentric reciprocation of the second diaphragm portion which bridges the recess 43. As will be self evident, a suction effect is produced in a manner similar to that first described and the water is drawn by way of groove 28 from the same source. The only difference in this instance is that the flow of water from the groove 28 is by way of aperture 30 and to the chamber 22. There is produced in the process an inflow to the recess 43 in a manner believed obvious. The inflow is damped and quieted by wall segments 24 and 25 as previously described.

Thus, from the chamber 22 the water is sucked to the pumping chamber afforded by the recess 43 in the block 41. It is then pressured through the discharge aperture 45 in communication therewith and consequently to the shell chamber 21. In this instance the water is pressured downwardly of the pocket A of chamber 21 to move under the included wall segment 23. past and under the influence of the baflies provided by the wall segments 24 and 25. The water is eventually forced upwardly to move in a pressured flow through the passage 27 to the groove 61 in the undersurface of the disc 59. Flowing the length of arcuate groove 61, at its remote extremity the water passes in a jet fashion through the small bore passage 65 to the relatively expanded passage 64 one side of which opens to the cavity 60. This water moves through the passage 64 in a swift jet flow to discharge by way of the connected conduit to the body of the water around the boat. In the course of its jet discharge, the water produces an eduction effect on the contents in the cavity 60. The fluidized waste is thus led and drawn from the cavity 60* to a forced exit through the discharge end of passage 64 to the surrounding body of water. It is to be noted that the form of the hopper illustrated facilitates a full draw down of the bowl contents and makes the whole system quite sanitary.

From the preceding it will be clear that in an exceedingly small area of a block assembly forming the base of 4 a toilet bowl per se there is produced a simple but effective waste disposal means.

Of course, the general configuration of the described block and its passages may be varied without departing from the spirit and the effect of the invention as here embodied. The invention and its embodiments will in all cases enable a firm positioning of the toilet unit without plumbing encumbrances of any significant nature. As will be obvious, in any case, space requirements are minimized. Also, the functional aspects of the toilet described afford exceedingly advantageous and obvious beneficial results.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect. and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention. I claim:

1. For use with a toilet bowl having an opening to its bottom, a separable base including means for bridging said opening and defining a waste receiving surface, said base having an inlet and including chambers below said surface. passage means for communicating said chambers with both said surface and said inlet, means interposed for drawing water or like fluid through said inlet and delivering the same to said surface by way of said chambers. at least some of said chambers including therein means for imposing a damping and smoothing effect on the water or like fluid in course of passage to said surface, one of said passage means leading upward to discharge on said surface in a manner to fiuidize waste on said surface and another passage means being arranged to discharge water generally tangential to said surface in a manner to lead therefrom the fluidized waste.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by said base including an upstanding annular wall segment at its top and further including a separable receptacle received in said wall segment, the inner wall of which receptacle defines said waste receiving surface and the top peripheral surface of which underlies and supports a toilet bowl to align the opening therefrom with said waste receiving surface, said upstanding wall segment having a lateral opening defining an outlet for the discharge of said fluidized waste.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said surface being defined in a receptacle means constituting a separable portion of said base, said receptacle means including therein a plurality of small bore passage means which communicate said surface with selective of said chambers, one of said passage means being arranged to direct water from one of said chambers in a jet flow to fluidize the waste deposited on said surface and at least another of said passage means providing for the jet flow of water from another of said chambers in a manner to produce a tangential discharge of the fluidized waste.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by said inlet being in common communication with selective chambers by means of a plurality of passageways, there being means operatively related to said inlet and said passageways to selectively direct the flow from said inlet to said waste receiving surface by way of selected chambers, and the means defining the waste receiving surface including a cup-like receptacle which is separable from said base.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 characterized by said base having the form of a hollow shell with means defining at least one pumping chamber adjacent one surface thereof intercommunicating selective of said first mentioned chambers, and pump means in operative connection with said pumping chamber for inducing a pressured flow of fluid to and through the intercommunicated chambers to provide for the said flow to said surface to fiuidize the said waste.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said base being a shell including partition means defining two main chambers positioned directly under the bowl, each of which chambers contains means for damping and quieting the flow therethrough of fluid in passage thereof to said waste receiving surface, means defining a single inlet passage common to selected of said chambers for inflow thereto of fluid, diverse passages connecting said surface to said selected chambers, and means for inducing the movement of the fluid from said inlet to and through selected of said chambers in passage thereof to said surface.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base has a shell form open to its bottom, said base including within said shell partition means defining therein at least one entrance chamber, pumping means mounting to said base in operative and functional connection with said entrance chamber, said shell further including partition means defining therein at least one baflled discharge chamber communicated with said entrance chamber, and said pumping means being operative to draw water from a source of supply communicated with said entrance chamher by way of a single inlet and discharge it through said baflled chamber to said waste receiving surface.

8. For use with a toilet bowl having an opening to its bottom, a separable base including means for bridging said opening and defining a waste receiving surface, said base being chambered and having means for communicating chambers thereof with both said surface and a source of water or like fluid and to provide for the water or like fiuid to flow to said surface through an inlet opening therein in a manner to fluidize the Waste thereon, there being further means providing for a discharge of the fluidized waste from said surface through an outlet by-passing said inlet and said chambers, said base having the form of a hollow shell with means defining at least one pumping chamber adjacent one surface thereof intercommunicating selective of said first mentioned chambers, and pump means in operative connection with said pumping chamber for inducing a pressurized flow of fluid to and through the intercommunicated chambers to provide for the said flow to said surface to fiuidize the said Waste, said base having said intercommunicated chambers arranged in pairs, there being a plurality of pumping chambers, one for each of said pairs, means defining a single inlet to said base adapted for connection thereof to said source of water or like fluid, said single inlet being commonly connected to each of said pairs of chambers, the direction of flow from said inlet being determined by the selective energizing of individual pump means operatively connected with respective pumping chambers.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8 characterized by a separable receptacle defining said waste receiving surface on said base, said receptacle having small bore passages interconnecting one of each said pairs of chambers with said waste receiving surface, one of said small bore passages opening laterally to said waste receiving surface and oriented so that a jet flow of fluid therethrough will induce a tangential discharge of the fluidized waste 10. For use with a toilet bowl having an opening to its bottom, a separable base including means for bridging said opening and defining a waste receiving surface, said base being chambered and having means for communicatin g chambers thereof with both said surface and a source of water or like fluid and to provide for the water or like fluid to flow to said surface through an inlet opening therein in a manner to fluidize the waste thereon, there being further means providing for a discharge of the fluidized waste from said surface through an outlet by-passing said inlet and said chambers, said base including a removable receptacle at its top the inner wall of which defines said waste receiving surface and the top wall of which underlies and supports a toilet bowl to align the opening therefrom with said waste receiving surface, and pumping means mounted to one side of said base in underlying relation to a portion of said bowl, said pumping means being in common communication with selective of said chambers for inducing the flow of fluid therethrough from said source to said waste receiving surface.

11. For use with a toilet bowl having an opening to its bottom, a separable base including means for bridging said opening and defining a waste receiving surface, said base being chambered and having means for communicating chambers thereof with both said surface and a source of water or like fluid and to provide for the water or like fluid to flow to said surface in a manner to fluidize the waste thereon, there being further means providing for a discharge of the fluidized waste, said base being a shell formed with a partition to define therein two main chambers, each of said main chambers including a partition which defines therein two sub-chambers, means on said base defining a pumping chamber in communication with each two sub-chambers defined in a main chamber, means in connection with each said pumping chamber to apply to one of the communicated sub-chambers a suction effect and to the other a pressure effect, there being means defining passage for inflow of water or like fluid to said base under the influence of applied suction to cause it to pass through one of said communicated sub-chambers to the other by way of the related pumping chamber for discharge therefrom to said waste receiving surface 12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11 characterized by means in each of said sub-chambers defining a pocket in direct communication with the related pumping chamber and baffle means in the sub-chambers communicating with said pocket to produce a smooth and quiet flow of said fluid.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 characterized by means on said base defining a common inlet for water to enter said base and flow to said sub-chambers.

14. A toilet unit as in claim 13 characterized by a receptacle defining thereon said waste receiving surface, a hopper-like bowl structure including a portion seating to the top of said receptacle and defining an opening at its bottom, the inner wall of said bowl portion being substantially continued by the inner wall of said receptacle, there being means interposed between the seating portion of said hopper and said receptacle which mounts a splash lip which overlies the outer rim of said receptacle.

15. For use with a toilet bowl having an opening to its bottom, a separable base including means for bridging said opening and defining a waste receiving surface, said base being chambered and having means for communicating chambers thereof with both said surface and a source of water or like fluid and to provide for the water or like fluid to flow to said surface in a manner to fluidize the waste thereon, there being further means providing for a discharge of the fluidized waste, said base having a shell form open to its bottom, said base including within said shell partition means defining therein at least one entrance chamber, pumping means mounting to said base in operative and functional connection with said entrance chamber, said shell further including partition means defining therein at least one baffled discharge chamber communicated with said entrance chamber, and said pumping means being operative to draw water from a source of supply communicated with said entrance chamber by way of a single inlet and discharge it through said baffled chamber to said waste receiving surface, said entrance chamber and baflled discharge chamber being duplicated in said base and said baflled discharge chambers having openings therefrom communicated with the waste receiv- 10 ing surface, there being separate pumping means in connection with each said entrance chamber operated in a timed direct sequence to produce a discharge to said waste receiving surface of a pressured flow of fluid first from one of the bafiled chambers to fluidize the waste and secondly from the other of said baffled chambers to induce the described discharge of the waste from said surface in a fluidized condition.

16. For use with a toilet bowl having an opening to its bottom, a separable base including means for bridging said opening and defining a waste receiving surface, said base being chambered and having means for communicating chambers thereof with both said surface and a source of water or like fluid and to provide for the water or like fluid to flow to said surface in a manner to fluidize the waste thereon, there being further means for a discharge of the fluidized waste, the chambered structure of said base providing two main chambers each of which is partitioned to define two sub-chambers, pumping means mounting to said base in an immediate proximity thereto and operatively related to each of said main chambers to produce flow in timed sequence to and through the sub-chambers thereof, there being means in connection with said base for directing flow of water from a source of supply to a sub-chamber of each of said main chambers under the influence of said pumping means and there being means defining passages from the other of the subchambers of each of said main chambers to said waste receiving surface for producing relatively angled fluid jets for inducing the fluidizing and subsequent discharge of the deposited waste.

17. For use with a toilet bowl having an opening to its bottom, a separable base including means for bridging said opening and defining a waste receiving surface, said base being chambered and having means for communicating chambers thereof. with both said surface and a source of Water or like fluid and to provide for the water or like fluid to flow to said surface in a manner to fluidize the waste thereon, there being further means providing for a discharge of the fluidized waste, said base having a shell form open to its bottom which is bridged by separable sealing closure plates, partition means within said shell dividing the interior thereof into two main chambers, additional partition means in each of said main chambers defining therein a pair of sub-chambers, transversely bridging partition means in each of said sub-chambers extending from the top thereof to a point short of its bottom forming to one side thereof a pocket and to the other side thereof a relatively larger pocket including therein bafile means, said base including means defining a single inlet passage to the side thereof. adjacent said first mentioned pockets, the shell wall of said base having defined therein passages communicating said single inlet with one of the sub-chambers of each said pair in the area of the first mentioned pocket therein, said baflie means functioning to quiet and dampen flow to said one sub-chamber, there being means defining pumping chambers in communication with the sub-chambers of each pair and in connection therewith means for drawing fluid to and from said one of said sub-chambers and pressuring it to the other said sub-chambers in the area of said first mentioned pocket thereof, there being a discharge passage from the said other of said sub-chambers to said waste receiving surface for flow of fluid therefrom to function in a manner to either fluidize or induce a discharge of the Waste from said waste receiving surface.

18. A base for a toilet bowl having a waste outlet to its bottom, means in said base providing a cavity below and communicating with said waste outlet, a first water flow passage in said base having an outlet end in tangential communicating relation with said cavity, a second water flow passage in said base which intermediate its ends is in tangentially intersecting relation to said cavity and which has an outlet end discharging exteriorly of the base, and means for effecting a jet flow of water through 1 1 the base successively to inlet ends of said first and second flow passages to carry out in successive steps a fluidizing of waste matter in said cavity and an evacuation of said cavity.

19. A base according to claim 18, wherein the said first flow passage is arranged relative to said cavity to cause water discharging therethrough into said cavity to form a whirlpool and wherein the second said passage is arranged to flow water therethrough in a direction unopposed to whirlpool currents effectively utilizing the whirl pool action for more effective evacuation.

20. A base according to claim 18, characterized by a means interposed between said bowl and said base forming a peripheral splash lip about said cavity.

21. A base according to claim 18, wherein said flow passages are in a common horizontal plane and in an intersecting relation to one another.

22. A base according to claim 18, characterized by other flow passages in said base respectively communicating with said first and second flow passages, said base further providing flow cushioning chambers in respective communication with said flow passages and individual pumping chambers each in common communication with a cushioning chamber and a respective flow passage, and means for pumping water through said chambers to said fioW passages.

23. A base according to claim 22, characterized in that said pumping means includes individually actuated diaphragm pumps mounted on said base, said pumping chambers being in part formed by a flexible diaphragm means.

24. A base according to claim 23, wherein said fiow passages and said flow cushioning chambers are disposed vertically in a side by side relation in said base with said pumping chambers locating at an end thereof with said diaphragm means in a closed relation to said chambers, said base having a projecting flange mounting said pump, the assembly comprising said base and said pumps forming a compact unit substantially within the dimensional outline of the bowl.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1960 Belden 4--222 8/1967 McPherson 4-l0 US. Cl. X.R. 4 73 

